2 hurt by runaway horse in downtown Holland

Friday

Jul 4, 2014 at 7:56 AMJul 5, 2014 at 12:24 PM

By Jim.Hayden@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4274

Holland police detectives continue looking for Two people were injured by a runaway horse in downtown Holland Thursday night.Police want to find a the unidentified male using a skateboard who fell in front of a horse-drawn carriage on Eighth Street. The crash spooked the horse and it bolted forward at about 8:30 p.m., according to the Holland Department of Public Safety. The skateboarder left the scene.A Holland couple with their 3-year-old daughter were in the carriage, along with the driver, a 19-year-old Holland woman. The driver of the carriage tried to stop the horse, suffering minor injuries but passengers were unhurt, police said. The horse ran west on Eighth Street to Central Avenue, south on Central to 10th Street. There, the horse and carriage struck a parked vehicle, and the horse broke free. The horse continued east on 10th Street to College Avenue, then north to Eighth Street where police officers and bystanders were able to stop it.A 69-year-old Iona woman suffered minor injuries after being was struck and knocked down by the horse near Eighth and Central. She was was treated and released after going to Holland Hospital via American Medical Response ambulance.The carriage rides are part of Holland's weekly Street Performers series.Detectives want to talk with the skateboarder."Once we determine who was involved we will likely review the incident with the prosecutor and city attorney before any charges are brought forward," said police spokesman Capt. Jack Dykstra. "We are still looking for any witnesses that have been contacted by police to follow up. Any video or pictures of the incident that may have been captured would be welcomed."Any witnesses or those who know more about the incident are asked to call Sgt. Jon Boeve at (616) 355-1737 or email policetips@cityholland.com.Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Silent Observer at (877) 887-4536 or share tips via the Silent Observer website, mosotips.com.Reporter Peg McNichol contributed to this story.